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EDUCATOR LICENSING:
RECIPROCITY:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
(Updated 2/21/06)

     
OVERVIEW
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Though the term “reciprocity” is used widely across the country, the true meaning of the term is often overlooked. Reciprocity is a system whereby a recommendation for licensure from a state-approved education training program at an accredited college or university is recognized in another state. The reciprocity is governed by the Interstate Agreement developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Reciprocity is frequently misunderstood.

  • Reciprocity does not guarantee that a license in one state can be "traded in" for a license in another state.
  • Reciprocity does not guarantee that an educator license from one state is recognized by another state.
  • Decisions of licensure through reciprocity vary from state to state and are not governed by the Interstate Agreement. An educator should contact the licensing office for up-to-date licensure testing requirements.
   
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT RECIPROCITY
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  What does it mean to "apply under the rules of reciprocity"?
     
   

Licensing regulations allow the Licensing Office to review the credentials of applicants from other states/countries under these conditions:

  • If the candidate has graduated from a state-approved educator preparation program in another state and received a recommendation for licensure from that institution for that state.

Or

  • If a candidate has a current, comparable license (teacher, or administrator) from a state with which Vermont has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement provided the candidate can demonstrate at least 3 years of successful work in a school within the past 7 years in the licensure endorsement or subject area. Those who do not meet this condition can obtain licensure through Vermont’s Alternative Route: The Peer Review process.

This new rule includes candidates who have been issued licenses in foreign countries. These candidates must also demonstrate they meet the equivalent degree requirements specified in the endorsement competencies via an official document credentialing organization. Please contact the Licensing Office for more information if you obtained your education or educator license in a foreign country.

   

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  What is NASDTEC?
     
    The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) was organized in 1928 to facilitate educator licensing from state to state, and to encourage communication between state educator licensing offices, federal agencies, national organizations, and professional educators. Learn more about NASDTEC. This link will take you off the VT DOE Web site.
   

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  What is the Interstate Agreement?
     
    The Interstate Agreement was originally developed by NASDTEC to assist teachers and other educators who completed state approved teacher education programs to obtain an educator license in another state. This Agreement represents the conditions under which interstate reciprocity will occur between member states. Not all states have signed the Agreement, and not all states participate in all educator categories. Learn more about the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement. This link will take you off the VT DOE Web site.
   

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  What states do not participate in the Interstate Agreement? (Updated 2/21/06)
     
    Two states do not participate in the Interstate Agreement and, consequently, do not have reciprocity with Vermont. Those states are Iowa and Minnesota.
   

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  Does Vermont participate in all educator categories of the Interstate Agreement?
     
    The Interstate Agreement is divided into four categories: Teacher, Support Services, Administrator and Vocational.

Vermont participates only in the categories of teacher and administrator. There is no reciprocity for school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist or library media specialist.
Those applying for categories not covered under the Agreement may apply for Vermont licensure through a
transcript review process.
   

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  Which states have signed the Interstate Agreement with Vermont? (Updated 2/21/06)
     
    Vermont participates with 47 other states (plus the District of Columbia) as well as Guam and Puerto Rico in the teacher category, and 30 states plus the District of Columbia in the administrator category. Vermont does not participate in the support services and vocational categories.

The following states and territories are members of the Interstate Agreement and have signed an agreement with Vermont regarding reciprocity for teachers.
   
       
  Alabama   Montana
  Alaska   Nebraska
  Arizona   Nevada
  Arkansas   New Hampshire
  California   New Jersey
  Colorado   New Mexico
  Connecticut   New York
  Delaware   North Carolina
  District of Columbia   North Dakota
  Florida   Ohio
  Georgia   Oklahoma
  Guam   Oregon
  Hawaii   Pennsylvania
  Idaho   Puerto Rico
  Illinois   Rhode Island
  Indiana   South Carolina
  Kansas   South Dakota (Added 2/21/06)
  Kentucky   Tennessee
  Louisiana   Texas
  Maine   Utah
  Maryland   Virginia
  Massachusetts   Washington
  Michigan   West Virginia
  Mississippi   Wisconsin (Added 2/21/06)
  Missouri (Added 2/21/06)   Wyoming
     
    The following states or jurisdictions are members of the Interstate Agreement and have signed an agreement with Vermont regarding the reciprocity for administrators.
     
   
  Alabama   New York (Added 2/21/06)
  Alaska   North Carolina
  Arizona (Added 2/21/06)   Ohio (Added 2/21/06)
  Colorado (Added 2/21/06)   Oklahoma
  Delaware   Oregon
  District of Columbia   Pennsylvania (Added 2/21/06)
  Florida (Added 2/21/06)   Rhode Island (Added 2/21/06)
  Georgia (Added 2/21/06)   South Carolina
  Illinois   South Dakota (Added 2/21/06)
  Indiana   Tennessee (Added 2/21/06)
  Kansas (Added 2/21/06)   Texas
  Louisiana (Added 2/21/06)   Utah (Added 2/21/06)
  Maine (Added 2/21/06)   Virginia
  Maryland (Added 2/21/06)   Washington
  New Jersey (Added 2/21/06)   Wyoming (Added 2/21/06)
  New Mexico    
   

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  Will I qualify for a Vermont educator license via reciprocity?
     
    The Licensing Office can make this determination after we receive a completed application packet from you. Determinations for reciprocity are not made via phone or e-mailed inquiries.
   

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  Can I qualify for a Vermont educator license if I graduated from a college/university in one of the two states that do not participate in the Interstate Agreement?
     
   

Yes.

If you are a(n)

and

This is your next step:
Teacher or administrator attended a state-approved teacher preparation program in a state that has not signed the Interstate Agreement with Vermont Contact the Office of Educator Licensing and request application materials. Complete a Vermont Educator Licensing Application. The Office of Educator Licensing will evaluate your application via a transcript review.
Administrator have a masters degree and have met the Vermont educational requirements, but did not attend a state-approved preparation program in a state that has signed the Interstate Agreement Contact the Office of Educator Licensing and request application materials. The Office of Educator Licensing will evaluate your application via a transcript review.

   

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  Can I qualify for a Vermont license if I am seeking licensure in a category not already listed like non-instructional support personnel, guidance counselor or school nurse?
     
   

Yes.

If you are a

and

This is your next step:
Support services professional such as school counselor, school nurse, school psychologist, etc., or are seeking licensure in a vocational/ technical area. Vermont has not signed this category on the Interstate Agreement. Contact the Office of Educator Licensing and request application materials. The Office of Educator Licensing will evaluate your application via a transcript review.

   

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  Can I apply for an educator license if I have completed a college degree (bachelor or masters), but did not attend a state-approved educator preparation program?
     
   

Yes.

If you are a

and

This is your next step:
Graduate of a Vermont college or university have the required level of degree (bachelor or masters in the content area or a related field) for the license but did not complete the licensure program

or


did not receive a recommendation for licensure and do not have a license from another state with the required 3 of the past 7 years of experience, you may complete Vermont’s Alternative Licensing Route called Peer Review.
Read about Peer Review, Vermont’s Alternative Route to Licensing or ask for information by calling (802) 828-0449.

   

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  How do I get more information?
     
    The Office of Educator Licensing at the Vermont Department of Education can guide you through the educator licensing process. Please e-mail your request to DOE-LicensingInfo@state.vt.us or call the Licensing Help Line at (802) 828-2445 to request application information.
     
     

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Application Information & Forms:

Initial Application | Reciprocity
Renewal Replacement Forms for 2007 (General Forms)
Level I License Renewal Through Department Licensing Office
Level II License Renewal Through Department Licensing OfficeReinstatement of an Educator License

Other Licensing Information:

Contact Us | Application Forms | Temporary Licenses | Educator Testing
Alternate Licensing
| Regulations & Endorsements
Approved Educator Preparation Programs
HQT Requirements | SLP Licensure
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